Shelter Learniverse

Webinar - 9/10/25 - Medical and Behavioral Data in Animal Shelters: A Lifesaving Tool - Best Friends
2025-09-10 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Learn how medical and behavioral data can be transformed into powerful tools to prevent disease, improve welfare, reduce length of stay, and guide evidence-based decisions. Discover practical strategies to turn numbers into impact — and data into lives saved.
Presented by: Dr. Becca Boronat, MV, CAWA, National Shelter Medicine Veterinarian; Best Friends Animal Society
WEBSITE LINK: https://bestfriends-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/4717437859110/WN_iRsWQsmFS4aikwy3tfGwsg#/registration

Online Event - Monthly - Journey You Own Meditation Gathering - JYO
2025-09-10 17:00 - 17:45 | Virtual
Create a shared, supportive space to explore grounding practices.
The guided meditations happen every month and typically run 30-45 minutes. All are welcome to these very low-key sessions, with videos on or off, whatever feels most comfortable to you. No speaking is necessary unless you’d like to share at the end of the session.
Attendees register once and can attend any of the monthly meditation dates. Don’t forget to add the dates to your calendar to ensure you don’t miss out on any sessions.
About the Host
Jyothi Robertson is a student of meditation practice for 40+ years and trauma-sensitive grounding practices formally for the past three years. She was raised by parents who practice meditation and lead spiritual teachings for members of their Indian community. She began pursuing her own formal exploration of spirituality as an anthropology major at Princeton University and conducted fieldwork for her thesis while living at an ashram (spiritual center) in India in 1996. As a veterinarian, she is interested in highlighting the spiritual connection between all living beings.
Jyothi has completed certifications in trauma-sensitive mindfulness, advanced trauma-sensitive meditation, deep listening, DEI, and since 2019, has been receiving training in Buddhist meditation practices and philosophy. As a student learning meditation, she is interested in exploring these practices with others in community.
WEBSITE LINK: https://jyo.world/meditation-gathering/

Webinar - 9/11/25 - Data Basics - From Intake to Insight: Buiding a Smarter Strategy with Data - HASS
2025-09-11 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
A webinar featuring Dr. Josh Fisher, Director, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control
WEBSITE LINK: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XBs3-LokQU2ZJ8FYceRFLg#/registration

Webinar - 9/11/25 - Maddie's Insights - Gatekeeping Pet Ownership: The Impacts of Adoption Discrimination - Maddie's Fund
2025-09-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
The animal welfare field has been discussing low-barrier adoption processes as a best practice for more than a decade, yet recent research by Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity has found that BIPOC families are still more likely than white families to be denied during the adoption process. The findings highlight the critical need to move discussions from “low-barrier adoptions” to “making pet ownership accessible to all.”
Attendees will learn about:
• the prevalence and impact of shelter/rescue adoption discrimination in four U.S. cities (Atlanta, Philadelphia, Miami, Minneapolis)
• solutions for increasing access to pet ownership for BIPOC families
Earn continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement towards 1.0 CAWA CEs. This webinar has also been pre-approved for 1.0 continuing education credits by the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA). It has also been approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval.
Have questions or comments related to this topic? Share your thoughts on the discussion thread:
https://maddies.fund/InsightsAdoptionDiscriminationSept2025
Register at: https://maddies.fund/MIwebcastsRegister

Online Course – Application deadline 9/13/25 – Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program Fall 2025 Session – UC Davis KSMP Shelter Learniverse
2025-09-13 | Virtual
Are you ready to take your career in animal sheltering to the next level? Offered by the Koret Shelter Medicine Program Shelter Learniverse as part of Maddie’s® Million Pet Challenge, the Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program empowers frontline animal shelter workers to provide exceptional care, grounded in best practices, with a focus on improving outcomes for animals and communities.
Through engaging online courses, you’ll gain expertise in:

Best practices to reduce animal stress.
Foundational animal care and medical care to enhance your skills.
Behavior, training, and enrichment for healthier, happier animals.
Population management to optimize shelter resources.
Daily care best practices that streamline your workflow and maximize impact.

Whether you’re new to shelter work or a seasoned professional, this program equips you with the tools, knowledge, and recognition to make a greater difference.
Why Become Certified?

Advance your career with professional credentials.
Learn practical, actionable skills to improve daily operations.
Gain confidence in providing high-quality care for every animal.

Applications are being accepted for the Fall 2025 session starting 10/13/25! Start learning today and become part of the growing movement to transform animal sheltering.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 9/13/25.
Certification is currently free, #ThanksToMaddie!
This program is most relevant for individuals working in public shelters or private shelters with municipal contracts. Enrollment is limited; applicants from these shelter types will be prioritized for this session.
Learn more about upcoming sessions and apply at https://tinyurl.com/SCS-General

Online Event – 9/13/25 – Neighborhood Cats TNR Certification Workshop – Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)
2025-09-13 11:00 - 13:30 | Virtual
Ready to make a difference for feral and stray cats in your community? Join our expert instructors to learn the best practices for Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and effective colony management. You’ll learn what TNR is, why it works, and how to address common challenges such as communicating with neighbors, preparing for trapping, conducting large-scale trapping operations, feeding, and providing winter shelter.
If you’re new to TNR, you’ll gain the essential skills needed to kickstart your TNR journey, while experienced trappers can refresh and sharpen their techniques.
Take advantage of the interactive format, extensive handouts, and real-life video footage from actual projects. Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance and access to a dedicated Facebook group for ongoing networking with fellow TNR advocates.
Led by experts from Neighborhood Cats, this 2.5-hour session includes an optional 15-minute Q&A. Registration is just $10.
This course/webinar/series/conference has been approved for Continuing Educational Units by the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA). National certificate holders can submit for credit consistent with the NACA CEU policy located https://nacatraining.org/continuing-education-recertification/
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/tnr-certification-workshop-presented-by-neighborhood-cats-sept-2025/

Virtual Conference - 9/16/25 to 9/18/25 - 2025 G2Z Summit - Equity in Access: Inclusive Solutions for Companion Animal Challenges - Getting 2 Zero (fee applies)
2025-09-15, 2025-09-16, 2025-09-17 | Virtual
Whatever role you play in the companion animal management and welfare puzzle, you need to attend the 10th National G2Z Summit.
Experts from all facets of companion animal management and welfare, from Australia and beyond, will join together to learn about the latest programs, share best practices, gain inspiration, and build lasting connections.
This is your unique opportunity to access affordable continuing education opportunities in a variety of related disciplines. You will hear from presenters from different backgrounds and all types of organisations, including leaders in advocacy and community engagement, animal management services, shelter medicine and animal care, fundraising and development, and more. From the big picture challenges to the individual dilemmas, our speakers have got something for everyone.
Take advantage of networking opportunities where you can make connections, share knowledge, gain advice and draw inspiration from the experiences and outlooks of your global colleagues.
The three-day Summit will be packed with informative and engaging sessions from diverse perspectives, sharing actionable insights across the whole spectrum of companion animal management and sheltering.
This is the event the animals in your care and in your community, and their people, want you to attend.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.g2z.org.au/10th-national-g2z-summit-and-workshop.html

Online Certificate Program - Starts 9/15/25 - Community Cats Program Management - Humane Network/UoP (fee applies)
2025-09-15 | Virtual
Are you ready to make a greater impact in your community? Registration is now open for the next session of the Community Cat Program Management Course in collaboration with the University of the Pacific, Benerd College! Course leaders, Stacy LeBaron (Community Cats Podcast & United Spay Alliance) and Elizabeth Finch (Community Cats Podcast), will facilitate this unique, fully comprehensive, eight-week certificate program covers every essential aspect of building and managing a successful community cat initiative.
The course is designed to empower participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage community cat programs. Aimed at animal welfare professionals, veterinary students, animal control officers, nonprofit leaders, and community advocates, this course combines theory with practical applications to cover all aspects of community cat welfare.
Through a blend of online lectures, interactive discussions, and real-world assignments, students will learn how to implement humane and effective strategies for managing community cat populations, ensuring their health and welfare while engaging positively with the communities they serve.
Course Highlights:
Beyond the Fundamentals: Master trap-neuter-return (TNR), the cornerstone of community cat management.
Community Outreach & Education: Learn to engage your community and effectively market your program.
Legal & Ethical Considerations: Navigate laws and best practices to protect both cats and your program.
Building Strong Community Partnerships: Form collaborations for maximum impact.
Volunteer Management: Recruit, train, and retain passionate volunteers to drive your mission forward.
Colony Management and Complaint Mitigation: Effectively manage cat colonies and address public concerns.
Funding and Sustainability: Secure funding and develop a long-term plan for ongoing success.
This course is ideal for nonprofit leaders, community advocates, veterinary students, animal welfare professionals, animal control officers, and anyone ready to turn their passion for helping cats into lasting action.
The University of the Pacific is an approved provider of content that enhances professional competence and aligns with the CAWA Exam specifications. Additionally, this course is approved for NACA Continuing Education credit. To learn more about the CAWA accreditation, visit CAWA Accreditation Information.
Enrollment deadline: September 14, 2025
WEBSITE LINK: https://uc.pacific.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=3508103&selectedProgramAreaId=20924&selectedProgramStreamId=20939#courseSectionDetails_3973670

Webinar – 9/15/25 – Effective, Efficient, Economical: How to Step Up Your Sanitation Game – UC Davis KSMP
2025-09-15 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Strong sanitation is the backbone of healthy shelters—it protects animals, safeguards staff, and saves lives. But doing it right can be resource-intensive, stretching time, people, and budgets thin. That’s why Dave Hachey, President of Ogena Solutions, first brought us Accel/Rescue, and why he’s now doubled down with Sheltr-Partners.org, a not-for-profit created to negotiate better prices specifically for animal shelters and rescues.
At this conversation with Cynthia Karsten, DVM, of the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, you’ll hear the story behind Sheltr-Partners.org, how free membership works, and the benefits shelters are already seeing. You’ll also get an inside look at the newest, most economical hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant. Join us to discover innovative sanitation tools that are helping organizations save major time and money, and plug in your own numbers to see what resource savings are possible for your team.
This webinar has been approved for 1 hour of Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) continuing education credit by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA) and National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA).
Can’t make it live? Register to receive the recording and resources after the event, accessible through the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program Shelter Learniverse, #ThanksToMaddie!
Register here: https://www.shelterlearniverse.com/webinars

Online Meeting - Mondays - Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie - Maddie's Fund
2025-09-15 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-22 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-29 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Maddie’s Fund hosts a weekly 50-minute Zoom call for animal well-being professionals. These calls are a collaborative space to share exciting new programs and research, discuss uncomfortable topics, connect with peers in the industry, and more, all while sharing a common goal of preserving the human-animal bond.
Who Should Join?
Executive directors, animal well-being leaders, shelter workers, pet support professionals, volunteers, rescue organizations and anyone who shares the common goal of preserving the human-animal bond.
Win Ca$h for Attending!
Each month, Maddie’s Fund will be giving away up to $5,000 in grants. You can enter to win each time you attend a call or watch on-demand during the month by completing the giveaway drawing entry forms shared in the chat during the calls.
Register Today
Join us each Monday at 11am PT/2pm ET to receive support and learn about innovative ideas other organizations across the country are seeing success with. If you registered prior to July 2025 or are new to these meetings, please use this link to register:
https://maddies.fund/CommunityConversationsRegistration2025
All calls are recorded and uploaded to the Community Conversations page on Maddie’s Pet Forum https://forum.maddiesfund.org/communityconversations
Please note: All views expressed on these calls are not necessarily endorsed by Maddie’s Fund.
WEBSITE LINK: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConversationsRegistration2025

Webinar - 9/16/25 - Doors Wide Open: Strategies to expand access to care that work - How Field Officers are Addressing Pet Transport Barriers Directly in the Community - Maddie's Fund
2025-09-16 12:00 - 12:30 | Virtual
Join Open Door Veterinary Collective (ODVC) for a second series of lively conversations on the third Tuesday of the month, from 12 pm – 12:30 pm Pacific Time, as we explore innovative and practical solutions that organizations are using to address barriers to accessing pet care and resources in their communities. We’ll share successful strategies through short 30-minute presentations, panel discussions, video snippets and Q&A sessions.
Join us on September 16 for a dynamic 30 minute webinar in the ODVC + NACA Partnership Series, spotlighting innovative, community-based solutions led by Field Officers. This interactive session features two organizations sharing how they have integrated pet rides into field services to reduce barriers and increase access to care. Learn how this proactive, compassionate approach is helping families stay together the real-life impact of offering transport solutions. Whether you’re exploring new ways to serve or scaling what works, this conversation will inspire practical steps forward.
Panelists:
Dr. Christina Avila, Animal Control Supervisor, City of Perris (California)
Spencer Conover, Assistant Director, Pasco County Animal Services (Florida)
Who should attend? Everyone is welcome! This series is perfect for those interested or involved in access to veterinary care.
Each session will be recorded and viewable on-demand within a few days after the event.
Earn continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement towards CAWA CEs as well as from the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA).
Come make friends and learn to make access to care more achievable for all involved!
Register for the series here: https://maddies.fund/DoorsWideOpenWebcastSeriesRegister
Engage with guest speakers on the Forum discussion thread:
https://forum.maddiesfund.org/discussion/how-field-officers-are-addressing-pet-transport-barriers-directly-in-the-community
WEBSITE LINK: https://maddies.fund/DoorsWideOpenWebcastSeriesRegister

Online Training – 9/17/25 – Surrender Prevention Certification Workshop Presented by Dr. Rachel Geller – Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)
2025-09-17 11:00 - 12:30 | Virtual
As a Surrender Prevention Specialist, you may be the difference between a cat losing her home and staying in her home. Join this session to learn what surrender prevention is and why it works.
Instructed by Dr. Rachel Geller, she will share real examples, with proven results, setting the potential surrenderer and cat on the road to a happy relationship together and keeping the cat in her home.
We’ll cover how to empathize with cat owners, working around their limitations (financial, time, patience), and focus on the 3 most common reasons for surrender: litter box problems, scratching (and not on the scratching post!), and inter-cat aggression.
Take advantage of the interactive format, extensive handouts, and video footage of actual techniques. This session is being recorded and recordings will be shared. Attendees will receive a certificate after taking a short quiz.
This session is led by Dr. Rachel Geller, founder of All Cats All the Time, Inc. and lasts 1.5 hours, including an optional 15-minute Q&A session. Registration is just $10.00.
This course/webinar/series/conference has been approved for Continuing Educational Units by the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA). National certificate holders can submit for credit consistent with the NACA CEU policy located https://nacatraining.org/continuing-education-recertification/
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/surrender-prevention-certification-workshop-sept-2025/

Webinar - 9/17/25 - Veterinarians Are the Heart: Your Role in Addressing Animal Cruelty in Your Community - HumaneVMA
2025-09-17 17:00 - 18:30 | Virtual
Presented by: Dr. Kris Otteman, DVM, ABVP, CAWA and Linda Fielder, CAWA
This webinar session will equip veterinary professionals with the knowledge and tools to recognize, document, and respond to signs of animal cruelty. Led by experts in veterinary forensics, animal welfare, and legal advocacy, the presentation explores the vital link between animal abuse and human violence and how veterinarians can play a pivotal role in protecting both animals and people. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a meaningful impact in your community.
Learning Objectives:

Understand the connection between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence
Alleviate concerns voiced by others about reporting animal cruelty including safety concerns
Articulate the differences between forensic veterinary medicine and traditional veterinary medicine
Identify what is considered relevant evidence in animal cruelty cases
Review resources available to find and understand laws in a specific geographic area
Create policies and procedures to prepare the practice to respond and report and be prepared when a case is suspected, or you are asked to assist in your community

WEBSITE LINK: https://humanevma.memberclicks.net/webinar-veterinarians-are-the-heart

Training - 9/19/25 to 9/21/25 - G2Z2025 Feline HQHVSN Workshop - Getting 2 Zero (fee applies)
2025-09-19 - 2025-09-21 | Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Created specifically to fill a gap for veterinary professionals, the G2Z2025 Feline HQHVSN Workshop is the only event of its kind in Australia.
We are delighted to be welcoming Dr Becky Morrow (DVM, Grad Cert Veterinary Forensics, Grad Cert Shelter Medicine, MS, CAWA), Assistant Teaching Professor (Penn State University), Adjunct Assistant Professor (University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine) and President and Medical Director of Frankies Friends, to Australia, to deliver the Feline HQHVSN Workshop.
The Feline HQHVSN Workshop consists of one dry lab day on 19th September with all participants. The day includes theory and some practical skills such as ties and knots.
Depending on numbers (up to 100 participants total) the group will split into two groups to undertake the wet lab days on 20th September and 21st September. Each participant team attends one day of the two. The wet lab will be focussed on desexing cats – 50 each day so one male and one female per team.
The goal is to have 100 participants that are made up of 50 veterinarians and 50 nurses/techs/practice manager. We are aiming for a ‘team’ (or more) from each workplace so that there is more than one person taking the knowledge and skills back to the workplace and because much of the value of HQHVSN lies in the processes and non-surgical aspects of the model.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.accelevents.com/e/g2z2025

Online Training - 9/20/25 - Return-to-Field: Saving the Lives of Community Cats - Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)
2025-09-20 11:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
It used to be that a feral cat had little chance of exiting a shelter alive after he entered. But that’s no longer the case. In recent years, more and more shelters have adopted Return-to-Field (RTF) programs. Instead of euthanizing healthy community cats (whether feral, friendly or otherwise), the shelter will spay or neuter, eartip and vaccinate, then return the cat back to where he was found.
We’ll cover the policies behind RTF, the mechanics of implementing the program, current controversies over the RTF of friendly cats, and how to combine RTF with TNR in general to lower cat populations and create sustainability.
Take advantage of the interactive format, extensive handouts, and real-life video footage from actual projects. Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance and access to a dedicated Facebook group for ongoing networking with fellow TNR advocates.
This session is led by Susan Richmond, Executive Director, and Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, and lasts 2 hours, followed by an optional 15-minute Q&A session. Registration is just $10.00.
This course/webinar/series/conference has been approved for Continuing Educational Units by the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA). National certificate holders can submit for credit consistent with the NACA CEU policy located https://nacatraining.org/continuing-education-recertification/
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/return-to-field-saving-the-lives-of-community-cats-presented-by-neighborhood-cats-sept-2025/

Webinar - 9/23/25 - Who You Gonna Call? Finding and Utilizing Experts in Animal Cruelty Investigations - NACA/Justice Clearinghouse
2025-09-23 12:00 | Virtual
The advice, services, and opinions of experts can elevate the quality of your animal cruelty investigations tenfold. Whether you need to consult on the nutritional needs of an unusual species or engage a forensically-trained veterinarian to determine the extent of a traumatic injury, partnering with subject matter experts is an important way to ensure your investigations are comprehensive, your seizures and protective custody plans provide victim animals with appropriate care and handling, and your criminal cases equip prosecutors with the detailed information they need when considering charges.
This webinar will introduce you to types of experts and where to find them, offer tips for building strong relationships with these partners, and provide examples of cases where the participation of an expert-led to positive outcomes. This webinar is a great opportunity to start thinking about how your effectiveness and impact can be magnified whether you are a one-person agency or part of a large organization.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.justiceclearinghouse.com/webinar/who-you-gonna-call-finding-and-utilizing-experts-in-animal-cruelty-investigations/

Webinar - 9/23/25 - Vaccination Protocols: Tailoring Protection for Every Patient - Maddie's Fund
2025-09-23 12:00 - 13:15 | Virtual
Still have questions about the new vaccination guidelines established in 2024? Need an update on the recommendations for neo-natals in your program? This presentation explores the essential role of vaccination to protect vulnerable populations, prevent outbreaks, and improve overall animal welfare. Designed for veterinary medical staff as well as shelter staff interested in improving their understanding of vaccination, this session will cover best practices for vaccine selection and scheduling, as well along with the latest recommendations for vaccination of neonates in high-risk environments.
Join Dr. Erica Schumacher, Outreach Veterinarian & Clinical Instructor at the Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine on Tuesday, September 23 at 12n Pacific / 2pm Central / 3pm Eastern.
Sign up here for this 75-minute webinar to get your questions answered: https://maddies.fund/WebcastVaccinationProtocolsRegistrationSept2025
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Recognize the Role of Vaccination in Disease Prevention – Understand how vaccination helps protect vulnerable populations, prevent outbreaks, and improve overall animal welfare.
Develop Tailored Vaccination Protocols – Learn how to customize vaccine selection and scheduling based on species, lifestyle, risk factors, and environmental considerations.
Apply Best Practices for Vaccine Administration – Identify proper techniques for vaccine handling, storage, and administration to maximize efficacy and minimize adverse reactions.
Incorporate the Latest Recommendations for Neonatal Vaccination – Explore updated recommendations for vaccinating neonates, especially in high-risk environments.

Earn continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement towards 1.25 CAWA CEs. This webinar has also been pre-approved for 1.25 continuing education credits by the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA). It has also been submitted for approval for 1.25 hour of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval.
Have questions or comments for the guest speaker? Leave them on the discussion thread: https://maddies.fund/ForumVaccinationProtocolsSept2025
WEBSITE LINK: https://maddies.fund/WebcastVaccinationProtocolsRegistrationSept2025

Webinar - 9/24/25 and 10/1/25 - Lifesaving Labs: Managed Intake - Best Friends
2025-09-24 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-10-01 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Supercharge your shelter’s lifesaving with Best Friends’ Lifesaving Labs, a virtual series spotlighting five impactful topics designed to help increase your organization’s save rate. Each session features proven programs, engaging workshops, and dynamic discussion panels to spark ideas, share strategies, and support your lifesaving goals. Catch up on-demand or join upcoming live sessions on Wednesdays at 2pm ET!
September & October: Managed Intake

September 24 at 2pm ET: Session #1
October 1 at 2pm ET: Session #2

You’ll also have opportunities like:

Chance for you and your organization to engage in real-time discussions, and ask questions
Resources to help you put action behind the information in your shelter
Opportunities for your organization to submit proposals and be selected for funding to implement featured topics
Recording of the sessions for your reference

WEBSITE LINK: https://bestfriends-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/1817549180061/WN_McXDOqvQTiK7gcEopvveAw#/registration

Online Event - 9/25/25 - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection - The Human Side of Shelter Work: Building Compassion Satisfaction and Resilience (Part 1) - Maddie's Fund
2025-09-25 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Working in animal shelters can be deeply meaningful—and emotionally draining. In this session, Valerie Bogie, MSSW, Veterinary Social Worker, defines key terms while sharing fresh strategies to help you to increase your well-being and continue the work you are so passionate about!
Attendees will learn:

The signs and impact of secondary trauma, burnout, burden transfer and compassion fatigue
Navigating moral distress and tough ethical dilemmas
The importance of compassion satisfaction—and how to cultivate it
Tools to better understand yourself, build resilience, and practice sustainable self-care

This webinar is for anyone working in or around animals in shelters—especially those feeling the weight of the work. Leave with renewed clarity, practical tools, and a reminder that you matter, too.
About Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection: Join us on the fourth Thursday of every month as we talk about dog and cat behavior – supporting pets in our community and animal shelters. Each month, we hear from speakers about topics of interest to our group, such as behavior medications, modifying animal behavior, assessing and improving animal welfare, and how organizations successfully provide behavior support to dogs and cats.
Who should join: Animal welfare staff and volunteers who are interested in dog and cat behavior, and everyone who works to keep pets out of shelters and in homes.
You only need to register once for all meetings: https://maddies.fund/MonthlyBehaviorRegistration
Can’t attend live? Register anyway and you will get a link to the recording within a day or two after each meeting.
All recordings and resources shared during the webcast will also be available in the Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection group on Maddie’s Pet Forum – https://maddies.fund/monthlybehaviorconnectionMPF
Maddie’s Fund does not share registration information.
The opinions expressed by webinar presenters are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Maddie’s Fund.
WEBSITE LINK: https://maddies.fund/MonthlyBehaviorRegistration

Webinar - 9/25/25 - From Kennels to Clicks: What Marketing Strategies Actually Drive Adoptions - Best Friends
2025-09-25 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Want more adoptions? The data is in — and your marketing strategy might be the key. Join us on September 25 at 4pm ET as we reveal the results of a recent animal welfare marketing survey that shows what really works when it comes to increasing pet adoptions.
Whether your shelter is already performing above average or you’re looking for fresh ways to engage your community, this session will provide actionable insights you can put into practice right away. We’ll dig into how marketing efforts across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and your shelter’s website impact adoption success, and how listing pets consistently on Adopt a Pet and Petfinder plays a vital role. You’ll learn which tactics are working, where your shelter stands compared to others, and how to celebrate the areas where you shine while identifying where you can reach further.
Panelists include Michelle Dunivan, Senior Director of Insights and Analytics at Best Friends Animal Society; Caitlin Quinn, Adjunct Instructor, University of Florida, and freelance communications consultant; and Jessica Arias, Director of Animal Services, City of Burlington, NC. Kasey Spain, Senior Manager of Network Engagement and Shelter Pet Data Alliance, will moderate.
If you’re ready to connect your community work to real adoption results, this webinar is your roadmap. Walk away with practical ideas, inspiration, and a clear call to action: keep doing what’s working, and grow where you can.
WEBSITE LINK: https://bestfriends-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/4917520773897/WN_3dBw2fQqRR6UwB3AhFf6uA#/registration

Hybrid Conference - 9/26/25 to 9/28/25 - Aggression in Dogs Conference - Puppyworks (fee applies)
2025-09-26 06:00 - 16:00, 2025-09-27 06:00 - 18:30, 2025-09-28 06:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Join the world’s foremost experts on aggression in dogs!
In a Nutshell

Attend Online or In-Person
14 Renowned Speakers
14 Groundbreaking Sessions
Save Additional $10 with Discount Code Puppyworks10
Exchange Ideas with a Community of your Peers

19.5 CEUs​
CCPDT, IAABC, KPA, PPAB, IACP, and PPGA (Whether you attend in-person, online or watch the recordings)
​In-Person Location:
Hilton Charlotte University Place
8629 Jm Keynes Drive
Charlotte, NC 28262
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.puppyworks.com/conference

Webinar - 9/30/25 - Before Four Weeks: Updated Vaccination Recommendations for Neonatal Puppies and Kittens - UC Davis KSMP
2025-09-30 11:00 - 12:30 | Virtual
We know that the single best way to protect neonatal and juvenile animals from infectious disease is to care for them in an environment where exposure to disease is low, but those environments can be hard to find! Despite efforts to find low-risk housing options for these vulnerable animals, underage puppies and kittens still sometimes end up being housed in animal shelters or other environments where exposure risk is real. Previous recommendations have been to wait until 4 weeks of age to begin vaccination, potentially missing opportunities to provide protection as early as possible.
In this webinar, we’ll explore updated recommendations for early vaccination of neonatal and juvenile puppies and kittens in environments that present meaningful risk. We’ll cover the science, the supporting literature, and most importantly, how to apply these new guidelines in a shelter setting.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Describe the immunological basis for vaccine protocols in neonatal animals
Summarize the literature supporting early vaccination in high‑risk environments
Identify scenarios where early vaccination is recommended due to disease risk
Apply updated vaccine protocols in animal shelters
Adapt vaccination strategies for use in other high‑exposure settings

This webinar has been approved for 1.5 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval, as well as 1.5 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) continuing education credit by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA) and National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA).
Can’t make it live? Register to receive a recording and resources after the event.
Presenters: Kate Hurley, DVM, and Sandra Newbury, DVM
Register now: http://www.shelterlearniverse.com/webinars

Webinar - 9/30/25 - Beyond the Page: Meet the Authors Shaping DEI in Veterinary Medicine - Bridging Gaps in Veterinary Care: Equity, Access, and Innovation - MCVMA
2025-09-30 17:00 - 18:00 | Virtual
Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association (MCVMA) is launching a new webinar.
Beyond the Page: Meet the Authors Shaping DEI in Veterinary Medicine is a groundbreaking webinar series that brings to life the voices behind Elsevier’s Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine, Parts 1 & 2 – the first comprehensive, open-access DEI publications in veterinary medicine.
Thanks to a generous grant from Maddie’s Fund®, MCVMA secured permanent open access to these volumes. Now, Beyond the Page takes this knowledge further with live, interactive conversations that connect scholarship to action.
Our first installment features none other than Dr. Michael Blackwell, Director of the Program for Pet Health Equity at the University of Tennessee, former Chief of Staff in the Office of the Surgeon General of the U.S., and recipient of the AVMA’s 2025 Frederick Douglass Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award.
We’ll discuss his chapter, “Bridging Gaps in Veterinary Care: Equity, Access, and Innovation,” which explores practical strategies for closing gaps in care, addressing inequities, leveraging innovation, and reimagining how our profession can better serve diverse communities.

Join us! September 30 5pm PT 8pm ET
Read the chapter for free now at: mcvma.org/publications
Register for our free webinar to be part of this inspiring conversation: https://bit.ly/MulticulturalVMABeyondthePage
